BEATRICE, Neb. (AP) — Deer carcasses have been showing up in Gage County ditches and creeks.

Officials aren’t sure whether poachers are to blame or the carcasses are being dumped by hunters who legally shot the deer but don’t want to properly dispose of them.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson says it’s tough to estimate how many cases of illegal animal carcass dumping occur because many go unnoticed or unreported.

Dumping carcasses in ditches is littering, a misdemeanor.